Welding to SLD Equipment
NOTICE: General Reference Only
The information provided in this article is for general reference purposes only and does not constitute project-specific guidance. SLD Technology products are engineered to order, and their installation must comply with all applicable codes, standards, and project-specific specifications. In all cases, the approved project documentation and requirements take precedence over any general information contained herein. For project-specific instructions, contact your SLD Project Manager or the SLD Support Team at: support@sldus.com.
WARNING: Failure to Follow Safety Precautions May Result in Serious Injury or Death
All installation and maintenance activities must comply with applicable OSHA, ANSI, and local safety regulations. Only qualified personnel should perform work on or around AirFRAME systems. Follow all instructions in the product installation manual, and adhere to proper lockout/tagout procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, lifting safety, and environmental controls. Improper handling or installation may result in electrical shock, falls, equipment damage, or hazardous exposures. Refer to project-specific safety plans and site protocols. For questions or clarification, contact your SLD Project Manager or the SLD Support Team at: support@sldus.com before proceeding.
Welding to SLD Equipment – Requirements
If welding is required to any portion of the SLD system, the outer skin may be cut back only as necessary to expose the Hollow Structural Section (HSS) tubing or applicable structural member. Coatings shall be removed only within the immediate weld area. Under no circumstances shall the HSS tubing or structural members be cut, gouged, drilled, or otherwise structurally compromised.
All exposed bare metal surfaces shall be properly cleaned and immediately coated with the supplied touch-up paint following completion of welding to prevent corrosion. Touch-up paint is shipped with each unit and must be used to restore all disturbed coatings.
If cutting back sheet metal skin results in any openings, gaps, or penetrations affecting the air delivery area, those areas must be properly sealed to restore the original air barrier. Caulking is shipped with each unit and shall be used to seal all penetrations, seams, or air delivery compromises created during field modification.
Failure to restore coatings and air seals may result in corrosion, performance degradation, or system imbalance and may impact warranty coverage.
Electrical Protection and Grounding Requirements
Prior to performing any welding, all power to associated equipment shall be de-energized and locked out in accordance with applicable safety standards.
Proper grounding and bonding procedures must be followed during welding to prevent stray current damage to drivers, control boards, LED light bars, and any other electrical components.
The welding ground clamp must be attached directly to clean, bare metal on the structural member being welded. Any mill scale, paint, coatings, dirt, or oxidation at the clamp location must be fully ground off to ensure a solid metal-to-metal connection. The ground clamp shall be placed as close as possible to the weld location so that welding current does not pass through lighting components, drivers, control wiring, or electronic assemblies.
ALERT: Warranty Coverage May Be Impacted
Failure to follow proper grounding procedures may result in damage to lighting systems or controls. Damage resulting from improper welding practices, inadequate grounding, or failure to de-energize equipment is not covered under warranty.
Welding Qualifications
All welding must be performed in accordance with applicable industry standards and project structural requirements. Welders must be currently certified for the welding process being used.
Documentation and Reporting Requirement
Upon completion of welding work, a comprehensive report must be submitted to support@sldus.com prior to system energization. The report must include:
- Project name and SLD project number
- Exact locations where welding was performed
- Description of welding procedures followed
- Confirmation that welders performing the work were properly certified
- Photographs clearly showing:
- Areas prior to welding
- Completed welds
- Restored coatings/painted surfaces
- Ground clamp placement during welding
ALERT: Warranty Coverage May Be Impacted
Failure to provide this documentation may impact warranty coverage.
Contacting Support
You can reach SLD Technology Support by:
- Submitting a ticket online: Click: "Submit a Ticket" at the bottom of this article or at www.sldus.com/support
- Submit a ticket via Email: support@sldus.com
- Phone: +1 (503) 744-0002, Option 2
Figure 1: Submit a ticket online
Copyright © 2025 SLD Technology, Inc.
All rights reserved. AirFRAME®, LEDiffuser®, uLED®, AirFRAME-LT® and associated marks are trademarks of SLD Technology, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this manual or any portion thereof is strictly prohibited and may violate applicable laws. SLD Technology reserves the right to make changes to products, specifications, or this manual without notice. The information herein is believed to be accurate at the time of publication; however, SLD assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or the consequences of use.
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